Carlsbad Desalination Plant Marks 10 Years of Reliable Water Supply

The plant has become a critical asset for San Diego's water security amid ongoing drought concerns.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Ten years after the opening of the Carlsbad Desalination Plant, the facility remains a reliable water source for San Diego, providing 10% of the region's water supply. The plant, which can produce 50 million gallons of drinking water daily, has helped the area reduce its dependence on imported water and weather severe droughts that have plagued California in recent decades.

Why it matters

The Carlsbad Desalination Plant has become a crucial part of San Diego's diversified water portfolio, complementing conservation, recycling, and other strategies to ensure long-term water security for the region. As California faces the prospect of more frequent and severe droughts, the plant's ability to provide a locally controlled, drought-proof water source has made it an invaluable asset.

The details

The Carlsbad Desalination Plant, owned by Poseidon Water Resources and operated by IDE Technologies Ltd., opened in December 2015 after 14 years of planning and permitting. The plant uses reverse osmosis technology to remove salt from seawater, producing high-quality drinking water. Despite some initial environmental and cost concerns, the plant has maintained strict water quality standards and worked to minimize ecological impacts.

  • The Carlsbad Desalination Plant opened in December 2015.
  • The plant is celebrating its 10th anniversary of operations in 2026.

The players

Poseidon Water Resources

The company that owns the Carlsbad Desalination Plant.

IDE Technologies Ltd.

The company that has operated the Carlsbad Desalination Plant since it opened in 2015.

Keith R. Solar

A water attorney who lives in Point Loma and wrote the opinion piece about the Carlsbad Desalination Plant.

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What they’re saying

“Desalination has not replaced other strategies. Rather, it is one tool in the toolbox that complements conservation, potable reuse, water recycling, groundwater management and stormwater capture. There is no one silver bullet for our water security, and San Diego needs a little bit of everything to safeguard its water supply.”

— Keith R. Solar, Water attorney (voiceofsandiego.org)

What’s next

As California continues to face the prospect of more frequent and severe droughts, the Carlsbad Desalination Plant will likely play an increasingly important role in San Diego's water security strategy.

The takeaway

The Carlsbad Desalination Plant has proven to be a critical asset for San Diego, providing a reliable, locally controlled water source that has helped the region weather severe droughts. As California's water challenges persist, the plant's role in diversifying the region's water portfolio will only become more valuable in the years to come.